DRG Employee of the Quarter: Eric Schwinghammer - Academics and Simulator Instructor

Eric?Schwinghammer

Academics and Simulator Instructor?

F-15QA, Qatar

When?Eric?Schwinghammer joined the F-15QA program in January 2022 to help train Qatar Emiri Air Force aircrew and maintenance personnel, he had no experience in any model of the F-15 and was from a different branch of military. There was no specific syllabus, training guidelines, or instructional periodicals for his position.?

Schwinghammer quickly overcame these hurdles by shadowing colleagues and conducting self-taught simulator training and self-study sessions. Within the first month of being in-country, he was able to begin academic instruction.

“Shortly after this, he began executing simulator-based training on everything from fundamentals of aviation, basic operation of the F-15QA, all the way to advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures,” said Preston Pack, F-15QA site lead/instructor pilot. “As he instructed, he was recognized to have a special talent for quickly learning and rapidly turning around to instruct trainees, most of whom have English as a second language. The ability to digest that amount of information and be able to train a foreign Air Force is a tremendous sign of how he has excelled in a such a compressed time.”?

Schwinghammer has been with DRG just over a year, and he has already achieved over 200 hours of instruction for simulator events and 100 hours for academics. He also serves as the air-to-air weapons subject matter expert and is the F-15QA program’s Close Air Support (CAS) phase manager.?

“Eric?always puts in extra time, effort, and interest for the training of the aircrew,” Pack said. “He has developed countless extra academics, briefs, and products to further his ability to instruct and break down any language barriers.”

Schwinghammer is making great strides in a short amount of time as the CAS phase manager.?

“The CAS program had bare bone essentials to start. Most products were haphazardly put together, outdated, or simply incorrect. Since he began as phase manager, within a month it is starting to shape to a well-structured program. The academics, syllabus simulators, and flight products are all of high quality, and finely groomed for detail.”

Schwinghammer, a Tampa, Florida native, joined the Marine Corps in 2008. He earned a degree in business administration from the University of Central Florida. He was deployed three times during his service, once to the Western Pacific and two combat deployments to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. He operated as a weapons systems officer in the F/A-18D, earning the rank of major before retiring from the military in 2021.?

“The bond between service members, especially through deployments, creates lifelong friendships and brotherhoods.”?

Schwinghammer believes the most difficult part of the military changes throughout a military career.

“Different ranks, duty stations, billets, etc., can all change which aspect is the most difficult,” he said. “There were many difficulties or challenges, and not always the same. However, in the military, you will evolve through these challenges.”

He said mentorship is the biggest benefit the military offers.

“Mentorship, from all levels, is something the military can teach that is unparalleled. Whether you are the mentor, or mentee, there is always something to learn.”

In his spare time, Schwinghammer enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Pilar, have two children: Lorelei, 4; and Leif, 9 months.?

“Being in the military, you don’t realize how little you see or spend time with family. Now in my spare time, I like to spend time with family, travel, and make the most of our weekends. Things that were not possible before.”